McCarthy’s braggadocio was equal parts surprising and controversial. Skeptics suggest he did the Cowboys a disservice by providing its surging division nemesis — winners of four straight — enough bulletin-board material to capture No. 5.
Washington counterpart Ron Rivera, briefed on the remarks, took the criticism a step further, intimating McCarthy’s choice of words were rooted in selfishness.
“You do that for a couple of reasons: 1. You want to get in our head. Secondly, he’s trying to convince his team,” Rivera said, via The Athletic. “He’s now made it about him. I think it’s a big mistake.”
